Sudan army drone strike on court session kills 35, rights group says

A Sudanese army drone strike targeted a civil court in Al-Zawiya Gara village, North Darfur State, killing at least 35 people, according to the rights group Emergency Lawyers. The group stated the court is a civilian facility and that attacks on such objects violate international humanitarian law, demanding an investigation. This incident occurs amidst the ongoing war in Sudan between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese military, which began in April 2023. Drone warfare has become a significant aspect of the conflict, reportedly causing 80% of civilian deaths in early 2026. The Sudanese army has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Sudanese army drones struck a traditional court in western Darfur on Sunday, killing at least 35 people and wounding several others, according to the Emergency Lawyers group. The attack occurred in the village of Garra al-Zawaya in North Darfur state, where civilians had gathered for hearings on local cases and disputes. Among the casualties were four tribal leaders and two RSF commanders. The village is controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This incident occurs amidst the ongoing war between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, which began in April 2023 and has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. The court building was also damaged in the strike.